HERBAL & OTHER NATURAL & HOME REMEDIES & SUPPLEMENTS

For sufferers of arthritis, dependable pain relief methods are of vital importance. The agonizing pain experienced in simply walking up the stairs can be discouraging and can drive patients to depression. They’ve often tried traditional medicines without much success and are not eligible for surgery. Such patients are forced to seek alternative healing methods when they become victims of their pain and they find their bodies unable to function normally

Due to the increasing cost of prescribed medication, many patients are turning to natural remedies and other alternative therapies. But before you consider discontinuing traditional medication, always consult your doctor. Also, take your doctor’s advice before embarking on natural and other forms of therapy.

Let’s look at a couple of alternative therapies.

Acupuncture: One popular form of alternative therapy for relief from arthritic pain is Acupuncture. Although the results are short-lived, this form of treatment brings temporary relief to those caught in the throes of arthritic pain. It is also useful for those who find that traditional drugs and supplements are insufficient relief-bringing measures or have non-acceptable side effects.

Cayenne Cream: This cream is based on using capsaicin, a substance found in cayenne peppers that is responsible for them being spicy. When capsaicin comes in contact with the skin, it causes a burning sensation which in turn, inhibits the production of substance P by the body. Substance P is greatly involved in relaying pain signals to the brain. Application of the cream to painful areas, twice or thrice a day for at least one week, will allow you to decide whether it’s having a beneficial effect or not.

Natural remedies and supplements: While it is understandable that many OA patients in pain try to get immediate relief by taking aspirin or other conventional pain relievers, according to the doctors of WholeHealthMD, these medicines can be tough on the stomach while doing nothing to slow down the progress of the disease. Even the new COX-2 inhibitor medications don’t help with preservation of the joints.

On the other hand, it has been found that cartilage deterioration can actually be reduced, and in some case cases lost cartilage can even be rebuilt through the use of natural remedies and supplements. However, take care to check with your health advisor before embarking on any form of alternative treatment as different people react differently to different substances. As said before, dietary supplements are not approved or regulated by the FDA and can include plants, fats, proteins, animal organs and tissues, herbs, minerals and/or vitamins. Some of these elements may suit some patients and some may not.

While the manufacturers will promote their products as the answer to your problems, they do not have to employ standard recipes or ingredients, disclose any reports of side effects, nor do they have to prove that the products are really effective. So do be careful. Since the products are not FDA approved, they must mention on the product label that a) the product has not been evaluated by FDA and b) that product is not intended to “diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease”.

The most popular among dietary supplements for arthritis patients, as mentioned earlier, are fish oil, chondroitin and glucosamine. There are a few others also, which have been given a mention below too.

- Fish oils help control inflammation within the body,

- Chondroitin draws fluid into the cartilage, improving their shock-absorbing capabilities. Also helps with weight control.

- Glucosamine, the cartilage building substance, according to recent studies, is proving effective in providing long term relief from OA pain. In some cases, it seems to be effective in also slowing down the deterioration of joints over time, and in reinforcing joint cartilage. In some cases, glucosamine can be employed in conjunction with MSM, a substance that seems to slow down the degenerative process, but this has not as yet been conclusively proven.

Ginger: Though not as popular as the above, ginger is an

antioxidant that also works as an anti-inflammatory and
carries no side effects.

- MSM: An organic sulfur, used for reduction of inflammation.

Nettle leaf : Useful in reducing an arthritis patient’s need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) by up to 70%.

Vitamin E: An antioxidant mainly used in the treatment of OA.

Vitamin B: Another effective method of relieving pain. Works

best on the knee and aids in stopping degeneration caused by free radicals not only in the joints but elsewhere in the body too.

Magnets: Reported by some to be effective pain relievers if worn as jewelry or placed in between bed linen, results regarding the effect of magnets are still in the preliminary stage. Doctors however claim that these magnets are not strong enough to be effective.

These are just some of the methods arthritis patients can attempt when trying to attain relief using natural remedies. However, there is no conclusive proof of their effectiveness due to lack of scientific testing and study. Conventional over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen while being very helpful in reducing joint pain, do produce side effects that can be detrimental over long usage.

Hope this article provide u information about herbal and home remedies

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